Levelling: interview performance vs YOE vs previous company level
After clearing an interview, Do companies level an incoming candidate based on their previous company level or on their interview performance. Or is levelling based on YOE
Combination of past projects & YOE to determine level for the interview, and then interview performance to determine level they'd hire you.
But specifically, what matters the most for determining your level in the interview? I donโt think you can tell the difference in the Leetcode round. Lower levels might even do better.
Before interview: YOE, your current level and your current company brand; In the interview: project experience and system design; after interview: if you have a competing offer in a comparable company with higher level, you might be able to get your level bumped depending on how desperate they want you.
YOE and previous level can help recruiter determine which loop to put you on. But whether you get downleveled or not depends on interview performance.
Is up-levelling a possibility?
It does happen but very unlikely, if you do well they ask you for additional interview in a higher loop.